Car review of the 2012 Chevy Equinox LTZ, 2012 Chevy Equinox LTZ photos and pics
2012 Chevy Equinox LTZ

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Nice rims and a mocha steel metallic paint color had our 2012 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LTZ standing out in the wild when we first took a look at our test model. The recently redesigned Equinox is a sharp crossover and we were looking forward to driving one of Chevy's big sellers to see what all the fuss was about.

Exterior

The refined exterior of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LTZ gives this crossover a real advantage over some its competitors as this is a great looking vehicle. Up front, the horizontal-split grille is eye-catching along with the overall muscular look touched with the flaring fenders. Our loaner sported a rear power programmable rear lift gate, power outside heated mirrors, sporty 18 inch chrome clad aluminum wheels, deep tinted glass, a roof mounted luggage rack with side rails, remote keyless entry, front fog lamps, plenty of chrome and  halogen projector beam headlamps. The Equinox in LTZ package looked great as the mocha steel metallic color matched the high-end look of this crossover.

Interior

When you enter the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LTZ, you know you're in a high-end crossover with the cross-stitched dual-tone  perforated jet black/brownstone leather seating and flowing dashboard that is normally reserved for luxury vehicles. Hints of the Cadillac SRX abound and that my friends is a bonus for Equinox buyers. Our test model was loaded with heated front seats, 8-way power driver seats with power lumbar, multi-flex sliding rear seat with 60/40 split seat back and 3 position recline, tilt and telescoping steering column, color touch navigation radio with 7 inch screen, CD/MP3 player, AUX input and USB port, forward collision alert and lane departure warning, XM radio, On Star, premium 8 speaker system with amplifier and equalization, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio control and Bluetooth phone. The driver’s position is high enough to give you command of the road but not too high where handling is compromised.  The excellent fit and finish of the interior components is well noted and a big step forward in the evolution of the New Chevy.

2012 Chevy Equinox LTZ

Performance

The 3.0 liter DOHC V6 SIDI engine combined with a six speed automatic transmission delivers 264 horsepower of fun! You will sacrifice some fuel efficiency with the V6 at 17mpg in the city and 24mpg highway driving, but for those who truly enjoy the power when behind the wheel, the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LTZ should make your shopping list. The four-wheel anti-lock braking system along with StabiliTrak (which is a stability control system with traction control) worked like a charm in some wet driving conditions. Our top of the line LTZ model also featured remote vehicle start, rear vision camera system and rear parking assist. The previously mentioned forward collision alert and lane departure warning will make any driver more aware of their surroundings, and quite frankly, will make you a better driver as well.

Overview

The mid-size crossover market is growing as customers look for comfort and efficiency while putting a premium on space and pricing. The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LTZ is one serious player in this segment and when looking at the overall sales of the Equinox, folks really appreciate what Chevy has accomplished in this vehicle. When you get to the upscale LTZ offering, the price can sneak up as our loaner stickered out at $33,540. But when compared to competitors offering similarly impressive driving experiences and options, the LTZ can cost well below what you might spend for other brands. With generous interior space, a smart dashboard design and layout, driving performance normally reserved for sedans, and cutting edge styling the 2012 Equinox FWD LTZ is a winner for Chevrolet!

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